Buffing compositions



United States Patent 3,265,475 BUFFING COMPOSITIONS Donald H. Schantz,Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Hanson-VanWinkle-Munning Company, a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. FiledDec. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 242,106 9 Claims. (Cl. 51-304) This inventionrelates to bufiing compositions and, more particularly, to bothnon-aqueous and aqueous bufiing and polishing compositions which may beeasily and completely removed from "a metal workpiece by an aqueousalkaline cleaning solution. The invention is based upon the discoverythat either aluminum or zinc powder, when incorporated in minor amountsin either a non-aqueous or an aqueous buffing composition, are capableof generating sufficient hydrogen gas when a metal workpiece containingthe composition is subsequently cleaned with a hot aqueous alkalinecleaner, thereby aiding in the easy and complete removal of the lasttraces of the bufling composition remaining after the workpiece has beenbufied or polished.

Polishing and buffing compositions generally consist of a carrierlubricant, such :as various greases, oils or soaps (compounded to givethe desired melting point or viscosity), in which there is dispersed oneor more abrasive materials. When a metal workpiece is bufied or polishedwith these compositions, the residual buffing compound frequentlybecomes lodged or impacted in the recessed areas, fine lines, scratchesor holes in the workpiece, and is quite difficult to remove even whenthe workpiece is subsequently submerged or scoured with an aqueousalkaline cleaning solution. Oftentimes, the residual bufling compositionadheres to the metal surface so tenaciously that even fiat surfaces aredifficult to clean. Treatment of the polished or buffed metal workpiecewith a hot aqueous alkaline cleaning solution is almost always necessaryto remove the last traces of the buffing compositions, especially if thepolished or bufled workpiece is to be plated. Failure to remove the lasttraces of such buffing composition from the workpiece invariably leadsto imperfect plating.

Using non-aqueous and aqueous bufling compositions both of whichcomprise a carrier lubricant in which there is dispersed a major amountof an inorganic abrasive, I have cfiound that by incorporating a minoramount of either aluminum powder or zinc powder in this buttingcomposition, it is possible to prepare an improved buffing compositionwithin which sufficient hydrogen gas may be generated in situ when ametal workpiece containing the composition is subsequently cleaned withhot aqueous alkaline cleaner, thereby aiding in the easy and completeremoval of the last traces of bufling composition remaining after theworkpiece has been buffed or polished. Based on this discovery, theinvention provides an improved b-ufling composition comprising a carrierlubricant in which there is dispersed a major amount of an inorganicabrasive and a minor amount of metallic powder selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum and zinc.

In general, only relatively minor amounts of either aluminum or zincpowder (or both) are required in the bufling composition to aid in theremoval of the last traces of the composition when the workpiece issubsequently cleaned with an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution.Excellent results have been obtained by using from about /2 to about 2percent by weight of the metallic powder (preferably in the [form offlakes) in the buffing composition, although .for most purposesconcentration of the metallic powder in the range from about to about 1percent by weight of the composition will suflice.

After the metal workpiece has been bufied and polished with a bufiingcomposition containing either aluminum or zinc powder in accordance withthe invention, it may be cleaned with an aqueous alkaline cleaningsolution. These cleaning solutions are usually prepared by dissolvingone or more strong alkalies in water, and are generally employed atelevated temperatures. The minor amount of aluminum or zinc powder inthe trace amount of bufling composition which remains on'the surface ofthe buffed or polished metal workpiece reacts violently with the hotaqueous alkaline cleaning solution to liberate gaseous hydrogen, which,in turn, causes the adhering bufling and polishing composition toseparate from the metal surface. Particularly good results are obtainedif the buffed workpiece containing the residual buffing composition iselectrolytically cleaned in the aqueous alkaline cleaning solution bymaking the metal workpiece one of the electrodes in a direct currentcircuit. Under these conditions, the evolution of gaseous hydrogen onthe metal surface is even more effective. This gaseous hydrogenfunctions as a scourer of the remaining traces of bufling compositionadhering to the workpiece.

The following examples are illustrative of the various non-aqueous andaqueous bufiing and polishing compositions which may be prepared inaccordance with the invention: v

Example I A non-aqueous bufling composition was prepared by uniformlyblending 12.24 percent by weight of stearic acid, 10.70 percent byweight of saturated fatty acids (Hydrofol Glyceride No. 42), 1.05percent by weight of wood rosin, 3.43 percent by weight of tallow oil,1.09 percent by weight of No. 9 oil, 70.49 percent by weight of No. 6lime, and 1 percent by weight of aluminum powder. This buffingcomposition is especially suitable for use as a nickel coloringcompound, and may be easily and completely removed from the metalworkpiece with an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution.

Example II A non-aqueous bufling composition was prepared by uniformlyblending 18.85 percent by weight of saturated fatty acids (HydrofolAcids B.G.), 3.19 percent by weight of tallow, 9.57 by weight ofpetrolatum, 18.05 percent by weight of No. 54 silica, 49.34 percent byweight of Rose Tripoli (once ground) and 1 percent by weight of aluminumpowder. This composition is especially suitable for use in the cuttingof non-ferrous metals, and may be easily and completely removed from themetal workpiece with an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution.

Example III A non-aqueous bufling composition suitable for use as asteel coloring compound was prepared by uniformly blending 18.75 percentby weight of stearic acid, 3.75 percent by weight of oleo stearine, 2.5percent by weight of paraffin wax, 74 percent by Weight of unfusedalumina, and 1 percent by Weight of aluminum powder. This composition isalso easily and completely removed from a metal workpiece buffed withthe composition merely by using an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution.

Example IV An aqueous buffing composition was prepared by emulsifying5.5 parts by weight 0t saturated fatty acids, 1.5 parts by weight oftriethanolamine, 0.9 part by weight of a surfactant (Triton X400), 0.1part by weight of a preservative, 3 parts by weight of petrolatum, 3parts by weight of tallow, and 5 parts by weight of paraflin oil in 38.5parts by weight of water. To this emulsion was then added 32 parts byweight of Rose Tripoli (once ground), 9.5 parts by weight of amorphoussilica, and 1 part by weight of aluminum powder. The resultant aqueous 3buffing composition is especially suitable for use as a cuttingcompound, and may be easily and completely removed from the metalworkpiece with an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution.

Example V An aqueous :bufiing composition suitable for use as a coloringcompound was prepared by emulsifying 7 parts by weight of saturatedfatty acids, 2 par-ts by weight of triethanolamine, 0.4 part by weightof a surfactant (Triton X-100), 0.1 part by weight of a preservative, 1part by weight of paraflin oil, 1 part by weight oleo stearin, 10 partsby weight of amorphous silica, 31 parts by weight of aluminum oxide, and1 part by weight of aluminum powder in 46.5 parts by weight of water.The resultant buffing composition is easily and completely removed froma metal workpiece buffed with the compound merely by using a minoramount (from about /2 to about 2 Although each of the foregoing examplesof the invention show the use of aluminum powder in the buffingcomposition, equally satisfactory results may be obtained by using aminor amount (from about /2 to about 2 percent by weight) of zinc powderin the bufling composition. Consequently, the invention is applicable toany bufiiing composition comprising a carrier lubricant in which thereis dispersed a major amount of an inorganic abrasive and a minor amountof either aluminum powder or zinc powder.

I claim:

1. A bufling composition consisting essentially of a carrier lubricantselected from the group consisting of grease, oil and soap, or mixturesthereof in an amount from about 10% to 32% by weight of the compositionin which there is dispersed a major amount of an inorganic abrasive,characterized in that a metallic powder selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum and zinc in an amount from /2% to 2% by weight ofthe composition is dispersed in said lubricant.

2.-A bufling composition consisting essentially of a carrier lubricantselected from the group consisting of grease, oil and soap, or mixturesthereof in an amount from about 10% to 32% by weight of the compositionin which there is dispersed a major amount of an inorganic abrasive,characterized in that aluminum powder in an amount from /2% to 2% byweight of the composition is dispersed in said lubricant.

3. A bufiing composition consisting essentially of a carrier lubricantselected from the group consisting of grease, oil and soap, or mixturesthereof in an amount from about 10% to 32% by weight of the compositionin which there is dispersed a major amount of an inorganic abrasive,characterized in that zinc powder in an amount from /2% to 2% by weightof the composition is dispersed in said lubricant.

4. A non-aqueous bufiing composition suitable for use as a nickelcoloring compound comprising about 12 percent by weight of stearic acid,about 11 percent by weight of a fatty glyceride, about 1 percent byweight of wood rosin, about 3 /2 percent by weight of tallow oil, aboutpercent by Weight of finely divided lime, and about 1 percent by weightof aluminum powder.

5. A non-aqueous bufiing composition suitable for use in cuttingnon-ferrous metals comprising about 19 percent by weight of saturatedfatty acids, about 3 percent by weight of tallow, about 9 /2 percent byweight of petro latum, about 18 percent by weight of finely dividedsilica, about 49 percent by weight of tripoli powder, and about 1percent by weight of aluminum powder.

6. A non-aqueous bufiing composition suitable for use as a steelcoloring compound consisting essentially of abaut 19 percent by weightof stearic acid, about 4 percent by weight of oleo stearine, about 2 /2percent by weight of a paraffinic wax, about 74 percent by weight ofunfuse'd alumina, and about 1 percent by weight of aluminum powder.

7. The bufling composition of claim 1 wherein said composition is.arranged in an aqueous emulsion.

8. An aqueous bufiing composition comprising about 5.5 parts by weightof a fatty acid, about 1.5 parts by weight of triethanaloamine, about0.9 part by weight of a surfactant, about 0.1 part by weight of apreservative, about 3 parts by weight of petrolatum, about 3 parts byweight of tallow, about 5 parts by weight of parafiin oil in 38.5 partsby weight of water, about 32 parts by weight of Rose Tripoli, about 9.5parts by weight of amorphous silica and about 1 part by weight ofaluminum powder.

9. An aqueous bufiing composition suitable for use as a coloringcompound comprising about 7 parts by weight of a saturated fatty acid,about 2 parts by weight of triethanolamine and about 0.4 part by weightof a surfactant, about 0.1 part by weight of a preservative, about 1part by weight of parafiin oil, about 1 part by weight oleo stearine,about 10 parts by weight of amorphous silica, about 31 parts by weightof aluminum oxide and 1 part by weight of aluminum powder in 46.5 partsby weight of water.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,216,643 2/1917Yasuda 51309 2,529,722 11/1950 Chester 51--305 2,829,035 4/1958 Doughtyet al. 51304 2,889,215 6/1959 Nelson 51304 FOREIGN PATENTS 611,81710/1926. France.

ALEXANDER H. BRODMERKEL, Primary Examiner.

D. J. ARNOLD, Assistant Examiner.

1. A BUFFING COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A CARRIER LUBRICANTSELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF GREASE, OIL AND SOAP, OR MIXTURESTHEREOF IN AN AMOUNT FROM ABOUT 10% TO 32% BY WEIGHT OF THE COMPOSITIONIN WHICH THERE IS DISPERSED A MAJOR AMOUNT OF AN INORGANIC ABRASIVE,CHARACTERIZED IN THAT A METALLIC POWDER SELECTED FROM THE GROUPCONSISTING OF ALUMINUM AND ZINC IN AN AMOUNT FROM 1/2% TO 2% BY WEIGHTOF THE COMPOSITION IS DISPERSED IN SAID LUBRICANT.